Psalms 76:3
There he broke the flashing arrows, the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse dramatically lists broken weapons, culminating in "the battle" itself, to show that God didn't just disable their tools, but annihilated their entire war effort. The original Hebrew word translated as "arrows" also carries connotations of sparks or fiery things, suggesting not just arrows, but perhaps even incendiary weapons that were rendered useless.
This psalm celebrates a dramatic divine intervention, likely the miraculous destruction of an invading army like Sennacherib's, which threatened Jerusalem. The song vividly describes God's power displayed "there" – specifically at His dwelling place, Zion – where He decisively shattered all the enemy's weapons, rendering their formidable military might utterly useless. The text emphasizes that this act of judgment was a self-revelation of God's power, protecting His chosen city.
Ever feel like the world's problems and conflicts are too much to handle? This verse offers a powerful image of God stepping in.
The Arsenal of the Enemy
The psalmist vividly describes God breaking apart the tools of war: 'flashing arrows,' the shield, the sword, and 'the battle.' Think of the arrows as swift, deadly projectiles, perhaps even tipped with fire – 'flashing' to show their speed or fiery nature. The shield and sword are the direct instruments of combat. But 'the battle' itself, the entire organized force and strategy, is also broken.
God's Decisive Action
'There' – in that moment and place where His people were threatened – God didn't just deflect the attack; He broke the very instruments of war. This isn't a stalemate; it's a complete disarmament. It signifies that no earthly weapon or military might can ultimately stand against the power of God.
Sometimes, God's power isn't gentle; it's a fierce, righteous judgment that secures victory. This verse shows us that side of God.
The Scene of Deliverance
The context points to a specific historical event – likely the miraculous destruction of the Assyrian army under Sennacherib, which threatened Jerusalem. The psalmist declares that God acted 'there,' in the place where His presence and people were located, even if the physical battle was at a distance. Jerusalem, as the seat of God's dwelling, is where His decisive action is recognized.
A Demonstration of Sovereignty
This act of breaking weapons isn't just about military defeat; it's a profound revelation of God's sovereign power. It demonstrates that He is not merely a distant observer but an active participant who intervenes to protect His own and to judge those who arrogantly oppose Him. The 'Selah' invites us to pause and meditate on the awe-inspiring nature of this divine intervention.
Understand the original words
selah · Hebrew Noun/Interjection
A musical or liturgical instruction, likely calling for a pause for reflection or an intensification of the theme just presented.
This psalm vividly describes God's decisive intervention against the Assyrian army, highlighting how divine power can neutralize the most formidable human might. The 'arrows' may refer to swift, deadly projectiles, possibly even fire-tipped, while the shield, sword, and entire 'battle' represent all instruments and organized force of warfare, all rendered utterly useless by God's hand.
c. 705 BC— this verse
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
King Sennacherib of Assyria invaded Judah and besieged Jerusalem, threatening the city's destruction. His army was encamped against Jerusalem, demanding surrender.
c. 705 BC
Divine Intervention and Assyrian Defeat
An angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in their camp overnight. Sennacherib's army was decimated, forcing him to withdraw from Jerusalem.
c. 705 BC
Sennacherib's Assassination
Upon returning to Nineveh, Sennacherib was assassinated by two of his own sons, a further sign of divine judgment against his aggression.
Post-705 BC
Psalm 76 Composed
This psalm was likely composed in the aftermath of this miraculous deliverance, celebrating God's power and faithfulness in protecting Jerusalem and His people.
This passage describes the very event likely alluded to in Psalm 76, where God's angel destroys the Assyrian army, echoing the 'breaking' of their weapons and might.
Isaiah 10:26This verse speaks of God raising up a force to break the 'rod of his oppressor' and the 'yoke' upon his people, a concept that mirrors the divine intervention and destruction of enemy armaments depicted in Psalm 76.
Ephesians 6:16Paul refers to 'all the flaming darts of the evil one,' which directly connects to the 'flashing arrows' mentioned in Psalm 76, highlighting spiritual warfare and God's protection against it.
Exodus 15:3The 'Song of Moses' after the Red Sea crossing celebrates the Lord as a 'man of war' who overthrew chariots and riders, a powerful parallel to God decisively defeating an invading army and rendering their military might useless.
cambridgePsalms 76:3: "There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah."
3 . There hath he broken the lightnings of the bow. The destruction of Sennacherib’s army apparently took place at some distance from Jerusalem, but Jerusalem is naturally spoken of as the scene of God’s action, because it was the seat of His presence ( Psalm 46:5 ff.) and it was on her behalf that He put forth His power. For broken cp. Psalm 46:9 ; Hosea 2:18 ; Isaiah 9:4 ; Jeremiah 49:35 ; a…
clarkePsalms 76:3: "There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah."
There brake he the arrows of the bow - רשפי rishphey, the fiery arrows. Arrows, round the heads of which inflammable matter was rolled, and then ignited, were used by the ancients, and shot into towns to set them on fire; and were discharged among the towers and wooden works of besiegers. The Romans called them phalaricae; and we find them mentioned by Virgil, Aen. lib. ix., ver. 705: - Sed m…
The verse dramatically lists broken weapons, culminating in "the battle" itself, to show that God didn't just disable their tools, but annihilated their entire war effort. The original Hebrew word translated as "arrows" also carries connotations of sparks or fiery things, suggesting not just arrows, but perhaps even incendiary weapons that were rendered useless.
This psalm celebrates a dramatic divine intervention, likely the miraculous destruction of an invading army like Sennacherib's, which threatened Jerusalem. The song vividly describes God's power displayed "there" – specifically at His dwelling place, Zion – where He decisively shattered all the enemy's weapons, rendering their formidable military might utterly useless. The text emphasizes that this act of judgment was a self-revelation of God's power, protecting His chosen city.
This psalm celebrates a dramatic divine intervention, likely the miraculous destruction of an invading army like Sennacherib's, which threatened Jerusalem. The song vividly describes God's power displayed "there" – specifically at His dwelling place, Zion – where He decisively shattered all the enemy's weapons, rendering their formidable military might utterly useless. The text emphasizes that this act of judgment was a self-revelation of God's power, protecting His chosen city.
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"There he broke the flashing arrows, the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah" — The verse dramatically lists broken weapons, culminating in "the battle" itself, to show that God didn't just disable their tools, but annihilated their entire war effort. The original Hebrew word tr…
